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Euro 2008 Thread

Next saturday it begins. I see some of you have already put up the appropiate avatars. Of course Belgium is not participating again because we've decided we cannot longer embarrass the other countries over and over again. Or was it embarrass ourselves...? Anyway, this leaves me with the quest for a country to cheer for. Suggestions?

Re: Official Euro 2008 Thread

Oh we need to merge...badly. In terms of getting screwed over, Holland is always at the top of the list (sorry). Germany always seems to get the easiest group. I will be rooting against them, methinks.

Look for France to blow that opening game with Romania. They always seem to come a little slow out of the gate. I think Holland could steal a few points from Italy and France. We'll see.

Re: Official Euro 2008 Thread

I plan on watching all the games - hopefully i can arrange my schedule to do so...going to be tough with work/gym/etc...

I am screwed, unfortunately. Since I work 9-5 in DC during all the games but the weekends, I won't be catching many live. I'll be avoiding this thread/the phone/all human contact until after I've watched my taped games...

Re: Official Euro 2008 Thread

I always root against Germany. I just don't like their game. Or any of their players.

Lol...wonder how long we can hold on to 2 threads. Let's make a 3rd one!

You have to admit the way that Germany has been playing the past 2+ years is much better then it used to be . I can't stand watching Italy. I so cheered for the US two years ago when they played Italy. I dunno I guess I don't like some of there dirty, sneaky defenders and some of the things they get away with .

Re: Official Euro 2008 Thread

True, at the WC they always tried to be really dominant and started attacking from the beginning. But I still don't like them

I agree that Italy can be really annoying to watch. Last friday against Belgium they played like a bunch of arrogant, err well, football players. And actually I don't think they have that good of a team. Plus they'll miss Cannavaro. My prediction is that France and the Netherlands go through...and I hope so too. There, I said it: I hope that the Netherlands make it to the next round

Anyway, Italy is always tough even when they don't appear to be that good. There defence is always amongst the best in the world and they always have atleast one striker that only needs one or two chances to score. Even if they have been defending for 88 minutes and had 56 shots put on their goal they still could win with one of those few attacks. Very frustrating that can be I can tell you (Euro2000).

Anyway, we almost always go pretty deep in the tournament. I like that a lot of people seem to automatically count us out of getting one of the top two spots in the group. I hope that can be used as extra motivation.

Hmmm.... whatever happens we have, HAVE to beat Romania or my girl will so put it in my face (as she is Romanian ).

Re: Awesomest Euro 2008 Thread

Merge it is. And to say that almost nobody cares about this, but still there are 2 threads being made at the same time, a week before it begins. That's some pretty crazy ****. The forces of the universe continue to amaze me.

Greece? Nah, sorry. I am one of the many that hated Greece 4 years ago when they became champions with their ultra-defensive play. I like teams who go for it, attack. That's why I mostly have sympathy for Spain, but they tend to be a let down in big tournaments. When Zidane was still playing, I used to root for France, now I'm not really sure what has become of their team. I'm looking forward to see them play though, same with Spain and Portugal. And it's always fun to laugh with the Dutch when they're losing, so I'll try to catch most of their games too. Hopefully it will be a less frustrating tournament than 4 years ago

Hey, I thought you were Greek? How come you're also rooting for Sweden?

Re: Awesomest Euro 2008 Thread

Merge it is. And to say that almost nobody cares about this, but still there are 2 threads being made at the same time, a week before it begins. That's some pretty crazy ****. The forces of the universe continue to amaze me.

Greece? Nah, sorry. I am one of the many that hated Greece 4 years ago when they became champions with their ultra-defensive play. I like teams who go for it, attack. That's why I mostly have sympathy for Spain, but they tend to be a let down in big tournaments. When Zidane was still playing, I used to root for France, now I'm not really sure what has become of their team. I'm looking forward to see them play though, same with Spain and Portugal. And it's always fun to laugh with the Dutch when they're losing, so I'll try to catch most of their games too. Hopefully it will be a less frustrating tournament than 4 years ago

Hey, I thought you were Greek? How come you're also rooting for Sweden?

I'm definitely Greek, but I grew up partly in Sweden so I'm kind of a sports bigamist...it's legit. Basically, I lived and died with that 94 WC Bronze team and have been a die hard fan ever since.

As for the Greek style of play, oh man...it's a pain. And definitely nerve-wracking. Basically, we knew that if the other team scored, we would probably lose. That's A LOT of pressure. I'm still amazed how we won.

The thing with Euro Cups is that all groups are hard (unless you're Germany, in which case you always get the easiest group in championships). Hell, in 2004 teams like Italy and Spain didn't even make it out. Turkey's group is, at first glance, easy. However, Portugal has the world's best player (IMO). CR is still kinda dangerous, though definitely old. Switzerland is nothing to shake your fist at, either.

I think we'll finish second in our group, behind Spain. We lost on penalties four years ago to a tough Dutch team but I thought we had one of the best teams then. This year I think we're again one of the better "second-tier" teams. The injury to Elmander hurts a bit. We might be looking at Zlatan-Henke from the beginning of each match. We'll see.

I have to say that the Swedish strikers are interesting. Larsen should be getting his pensionfunds soon, but he's an interesting guy. I can't really stand Zlatan, but to see him provoking some other countries players makes for a good laugh as do some of his swandives . Anyway, not bad at all. Usually Sweden has a pretty solid defense where they rest upon. Also usually there midfield was pretty defensive minded, but they do have some nice players in there who can create opportunities forward.

Now Greece... let's just say that Rasky and I can aggree upon something. The sooner this team is out the better it is for the tournament IMO. Really boring, unimaginative almost cowardly placing virtually your whole squad in defensive positions. IF every competing team were to play like they do then 2/3 of the games after the group phase would be decided by penalties and the remaining games would be 1-0 (... or 0-1 ). It's TOTALLY boring and unattractive to look at aswell. Just my .

Like I said between those two teams I like Sweden much better.

Spain is usually a pretty interesting squad in qualifying for tournaments, but somehow they ALWAYS manage to have off-days in their most important matches during tournaments ALWAYS leading to early eliminations. They play attractive and nice though, which is something that has to be respected.

France. Always dangerous. I don't care that Zidane is not with them anymore, they still have enough talent. I'm hoping their team won't have very good chemistry or won't "feel" all the other players intentions very well (because Holland is in the same group as the French ). There defence and midfield are always of top-quality and they always have atleast one top-striker, though somehow they a lot of times have trouble scoring easily in tournaments for some reason (maybe because of the system they play, I dunno).

Italy. Always one of the most talented teams in whatever tournament they play and the current world champion. I'm always astounded by the horrible way they usually play and still somehow manage to "steal" victory in a lot of times the last few minutes with getting one or two chances all game long. Considering what they have in talent they should be almost obliged to play more attractive, but they are what they are. Always a top threat and never to be underestimated.

Germany has been playing very attractive the past 2-3 years and considering there past that is surprising and very, very refreshing. I like what I see from them. Much more attacking and ballcontrolling play. They do again have one of the easiest groups (YET AGAIN!), so they can start slowly and play themselves into form, which is traditionally when they become most dangerous. This is the team I have meeting the Italians in the final and winning it all. We'll see what happens.

The Netherlands/Holland. Well I hope we will just have a very good tournament and swipe away the last WC memories against Portugal (prob. the worst match I have EVER seen from both sides in more then one way). As traditional the midfield and offense are high-quality and ballcontrol, passing and creativity from midfield will play an important role in how far this team can go. Personally I think it's the best Dutch team since Euro2000, prob. the deepest and best passing and offensive minded midfield in the tournament. Traditionally also the defense is the weakest part of this team. I'm not really convinced about central left back Bouma, but who knows. The positive from the defense is though that they can actually support the attack by moving up either of the flanks.

For this team to go beyond the group phase it will prob. need to defeat either Italy or France and Rumania for sure. That's a HUGE feat. Facing the finalists of the last world championship in the group fase is something I don't remember happenning before since the tournament expanded a bit about 28 years ago. I do think that Holland does have the ability to defeat France or Italy if it is carefull in finishing the chances if will undoubtedly get, keeps the opponent running after the ball instead of the other way around and the defense remains focused. That's a lot of if's, but not impossible (have to remain positive with a group like this).

Btw.... ehmmm... Rasky laughing about the Dutch losing . Jealous because we actually get to the tournaments and usually decently far into the knock-out stages?